Benefits of Hands On Learning

A research project done by a second-grade teacher, Becky Hicks, has revealed that “the best way to engage kids’ brains is by having them move their hands”. Hands-on learning is the best way for students to develop both sides of their brain - through visual, spatial, and analytical activities. Projects like the Crystal Growing Project, California Mission Project, and Mentos and Soda Fountain Projects are classic ways to keep kids’ hands moving and brains busy. CM School Supply is giving you five reasons why hands-on learning is beneficial to the education of children.

1. Improvement In Practical Problem Solving

While engaging in hands-on activities and projects, children may run into many roadblocks that they need to overcome in order to finish the project. Though they may feel frustrated at the time, they are actually benefiting from the experience. By finding their own solutions to these problems and accomplishing the project, they are learning to improvise. Improvisation increases confidence and improves decision-making skills.

2. MULTITASKING

Multitasking often comes off as a negative, but when it comes to hands-on learning, it is actually beneficial! People who doodle during business meetings actually have better memory recall than those who don’t! Hands-on learning provides children with the opportunity to multi-task. For example, they can be coloring, gluing, or painting while listening and comprehending their teachers and classmates. It is also a great way to prevent students from daydreaming or feeling restless, which takes us to our next point!

3. Great Way To Engage Kids

Hands-on learning is the perfect way to keep kids engaged! Attention spans vary from child to child, but studies have actually shown that hands-on projects engage tactile and kinesthetic learners, visual learners, auditory learners, and social learners. Hands-on learning is so successful because it is so versatile. For example, it caters to tactile learners because it provides learning with movement, and engages visual learners because they are able to visualize the whole project. ​

4. Construct Meaning

According to the article “Hands-On Is Minds-On”, “as students put projects together, create crafts, or use familiar materials in new ways, they’re constructing meaning”. Kids are able to use all of their senses during hands-on projects to familiarize themselves with objects and understand how to manipulate them in order to accomplish a task. These activities activate kids’ brains and encourage them to give meaning to their projects and tasks.

5. Sparks Creativity

Did you know that creativity relieves stress, improves mood, and increases and renews brain function? Hands-on projects actually sparks creativity within students because it encourages students to come up with their own approach and add their own flare! From something as basic as choosing a color to something more complex like figuring out the best material to build their project, each step requires kids to dive into their creative side and make a decision that they would be happy with. ​

CM School Supply encourages hands-on learning and projects because we feel that it is an essential part of development, which is why we want to make it easier for you to find the supplies that you need! As the California Mission Projects season rolls around, we want to let you know that we carry all 21 Mission Model Kits and additional accessories! The California Mission Project is a great way to provide students with a better understanding of how these Missions came to be and to recognize Native American history while you’re at it. Check out https://cmschoolsupply.com/1083-california-missions to order!